Thomsonfly FTE Scheme
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Rons22... that's simply not true - naturally there is a financial benefit for the flying schools, however there is also a huge benefit to the airlines. I'm training with 4 people who are on a Thomsonfly approved scheme, one of whom has posted in this thread already. The successful candidates are fully able to go elsewhere on successful completion of training if they so wish (as the airline isn't paying any money for the course) but Thomsonfly will recruit the guys/gals on the approved scheme first over other self sponsored cadets. Please note that the airlines carry out much of the selection process themselves including interviews. They select who THEY want to go on the scheme and recruit them as though they will become pilots for them. Besides, if you're going to train to fly anyway would you not want the backing of an airline and at least a realistic chance of going straight into a jet job at the end of it.
Leave the cynics to their later regrets when they're not flying, good luck to all those who have applied and I look forward to having a beer with you down here in sunny Jerez.
Leave the cynics to their later regrets when they're not flying, good luck to all those who have applied and I look forward to having a beer with you down here in sunny Jerez.
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Fastjet..........I dont know what your background is, however your rose coloured view of airlines and their "association" with FTO's is either deluded, or I suspect naive. The simple fact of the matter is this.......any sponsorship deal..relationship....business arrangement, call it what you like, exists as an out and out marketing tool for these FTO's
Sure a few lucky souls who enter into a contract with these FTO's will be cherry picked and added to BIG AIRLINES crew roster if they actually neeeeed people. The VAST majority will be sidelined..have their pockets emptied..(around 30-40% more expensive than other FTO's who dont have an "airline" realtionship) and end up in the queue like plenty of other wannabes. Its that simple..
You state that candidates are able to go elsewhere if they want..so?..whats your point?
If you genuinely live under the impression that as a "screened and approved candidate" you have an inalienable right to a job..think again..airlines change plans on a day to day basis..if they dont need you..then they dont care.
I hope you enjoy the sun....perhaps the fresh air..blue sky..and open spaces expand your mind to allow you to see the big picture.
Nurse more beer please....
H
Sure a few lucky souls who enter into a contract with these FTO's will be cherry picked and added to BIG AIRLINES crew roster if they actually neeeeed people. The VAST majority will be sidelined..have their pockets emptied..(around 30-40% more expensive than other FTO's who dont have an "airline" realtionship) and end up in the queue like plenty of other wannabes. Its that simple..
You state that candidates are able to go elsewhere if they want..so?..whats your point?
If you genuinely live under the impression that as a "screened and approved candidate" you have an inalienable right to a job..think again..airlines change plans on a day to day basis..if they dont need you..then they dont care.
I hope you enjoy the sun....perhaps the fresh air..blue sky..and open spaces expand your mind to allow you to see the big picture.
Nurse more beer please....
H
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haughtney1, my background is 2 1/2 years in the airline industry and 5 months on the ATPL training as an airline cadet. My view is not rose tinted in any way, it's entirely realistic. At no point have I suggested that anybody who goes through this scheme is guaranteed a job, god I'm not even on the Thomsonfly scheme. However I disagree with the view that this is simply a money spinner for FTE Jerez.
I think maybe you're missing the point here... We are talking about an airline scheme, one where few are selected to train under the airline's umbrella and the airline in question on takes on as many as it thinks it will require upon graduation. Why would Thomsonfly go to the effort of organising this scheme, investing money in the selection process (which they do, it's not all done by FTE), give staff numbers and access to the company intranet to successful candidates, send a liasion Captain down to visit and take them out for dinner, request regular reports on their progress etc etc... I don't think any airlines are interested in boosting the finances of FTO's but I do think they're interested in ensuring they can fill the right hand seats of their aircraft in the future.
You say that because this is an airline scheme it is 30-40% more expensive than training with an FTO without such affiliation, i.e. it is an integrated scheme and therefore more costly than the modular route. I'll agree, prices may be more as a result of offering a good chance of a job at the end, the last 2 courses to graduate have all finished with all cadets doing rather well when it came to employment prospects.
Frankly I'm not interested in arguing the point anymore, it's been done to death and, no matter what anybody says, there will always be cynics with a different point of view. I'm glad it's that way as we can have an open debate on here which is what Pprune is all about. However I think it's fair to say that your chances of success are far higher by training under an airline approved scheme than training with nothing at all. Furthermore, with no contract insisting that you have to refrain from joining another airline for 6 months after graduation in case they decide they do want you, it means that while you have the possibility of joining Thomsonfly you can still accept offers from other airlines should they come in in the meantime.
Again I would like to wish everybody applying for this scheme all the very best of luck.
Sure a few lucky souls who enter into a contract with these FTO's will be cherry picked and added to BIG AIRLINES crew roster if they actually neeeeed people. The VAST majority will be sidelined..
You say that because this is an airline scheme it is 30-40% more expensive than training with an FTO without such affiliation, i.e. it is an integrated scheme and therefore more costly than the modular route. I'll agree, prices may be more as a result of offering a good chance of a job at the end, the last 2 courses to graduate have all finished with all cadets doing rather well when it came to employment prospects.
Frankly I'm not interested in arguing the point anymore, it's been done to death and, no matter what anybody says, there will always be cynics with a different point of view. I'm glad it's that way as we can have an open debate on here which is what Pprune is all about. However I think it's fair to say that your chances of success are far higher by training under an airline approved scheme than training with nothing at all. Furthermore, with no contract insisting that you have to refrain from joining another airline for 6 months after graduation in case they decide they do want you, it means that while you have the possibility of joining Thomsonfly you can still accept offers from other airlines should they come in in the meantime.
Again I would like to wish everybody applying for this scheme all the very best of luck.
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haughtney1,
I understand the point you're making and I agree that these schemes are not without risk (a pretty big risk for most), but in the case of FTE I get the impression that their reputation is more important than getting your money in their pockets.
I'm not so sure it's an out and out marketing tool. Sure there are benefits to having people train with you, but surely in order for the airline to have selected FTE graduates, that must say something about their reputation. If all they cared about was getting the money, then they would probably let everyone who visited their website onto a course!
My only loyalties to FTE are the people I met when doing the selection tests down there (including fastjet2k!) who seemed genuine about only wanting to take my money if they (and I) thought I would pass to a standard they would find satisfactory.
Anyway, just thought I'd give my views - I'm not out to get into arguments over the whole thing - mine is just another opinion of many...
Out of interest are you training somewhere now haughtney1? or a full airline pilot? I'm just curious - I'm not being sarcastic or anything
steve
I understand the point you're making and I agree that these schemes are not without risk (a pretty big risk for most), but in the case of FTE I get the impression that their reputation is more important than getting your money in their pockets.
I'm not so sure it's an out and out marketing tool. Sure there are benefits to having people train with you, but surely in order for the airline to have selected FTE graduates, that must say something about their reputation. If all they cared about was getting the money, then they would probably let everyone who visited their website onto a course!
My only loyalties to FTE are the people I met when doing the selection tests down there (including fastjet2k!) who seemed genuine about only wanting to take my money if they (and I) thought I would pass to a standard they would find satisfactory.
Anyway, just thought I'd give my views - I'm not out to get into arguments over the whole thing - mine is just another opinion of many...
Out of interest are you training somewhere now haughtney1? or a full airline pilot? I'm just curious - I'm not being sarcastic or anything
steve
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Hey guys,
I totally agree with Steve and Fastjet2k...sorry haughtney.
A lot of us guys were considering Jerez as an option for training anyhow so it can only be a good thing if we get on the Thomsonfly scheme. If Thomsonfly hadn't advertised this scheme Jerez would have had no trouble filling their courses so how anybody can say it is a marketting scheme i have no idea.
There are no guarantees in the airline business and i , as well as everybody else, is well aware of this. The fact is most of us were going to go to Jerez or pay 60-70000 elsewhere for an integrated course so why shoudln't we apply to this Thomsonfly scheme.
The points Fastjet mentions regarding have access to the intranet and regular liason with the training captain only adds to the safe knowledge that it is a legitamate scheme with NO GUARANTEES just like CTC. Main difference being you don't get a type rating included in 60000.
Fastjet2k...that beer sounds like fun mate....fingers crossed!
Taiguin
I totally agree with Steve and Fastjet2k...sorry haughtney.
A lot of us guys were considering Jerez as an option for training anyhow so it can only be a good thing if we get on the Thomsonfly scheme. If Thomsonfly hadn't advertised this scheme Jerez would have had no trouble filling their courses so how anybody can say it is a marketting scheme i have no idea.
There are no guarantees in the airline business and i , as well as everybody else, is well aware of this. The fact is most of us were going to go to Jerez or pay 60-70000 elsewhere for an integrated course so why shoudln't we apply to this Thomsonfly scheme.
The points Fastjet mentions regarding have access to the intranet and regular liason with the training captain only adds to the safe knowledge that it is a legitamate scheme with NO GUARANTEES just like CTC. Main difference being you don't get a type rating included in 60000.
Fastjet2k...that beer sounds like fun mate....fingers crossed!
Taiguin
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"Does it still cost £200 to to attend phase 3?"
I hope not - the email sent out does not say anything about £200. Are you thinking of the CTC scheme? If I remember from what Taiguin's told me, there is a charge, ~£160 for the phase 3 selection day.
Steve
I hope not - the email sent out does not say anything about £200. Are you thinking of the CTC scheme? If I remember from what Taiguin's told me, there is a charge, ~£160 for the phase 3 selection day.
Steve
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I didn't hear anything about £200 either but when looking through the posts from the last time this scheme ran i found this:
''Got an email through yesterday saying I'm though to Phase 3.
However Firstly, they want me to get to Luton by 0900 next Weds........................................................ ..................
............................................................ .....................
Thirdly, they want £200 (two hundered pounds) before I even walk thought the assesment centre doors. The highest I have certainly seen for an assesment day.''
Thank god they've changed that rule then...
''Got an email through yesterday saying I'm though to Phase 3.
However Firstly, they want me to get to Luton by 0900 next Weds........................................................ ..................
............................................................ .....................
Thirdly, they want £200 (two hundered pounds) before I even walk thought the assesment centre doors. The highest I have certainly seen for an assesment day.''
Thank god they've changed that rule then...
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Well Im glad you guys have got your eyes wide open..and your heads screwed-on the right way.
Just so you know...my contacts in Jerez...& OAT will tell you different in respect of these "airline" schemes. The amount of time and effort required is minimal for an airline....particularly when you balance it against the cost of training (some would say thats the whole point..with which I dont disagree) however, the schemes by their nature imply that you have a better than average chance of going from zero-to-hero..sadly in the real world it is simply not the case.
Im only pointing these things out too offer a counter view to all the marketing and hype. You are quite right to say airlines dont want to fill an FTO's bank balance...but at the same time they dont care what it costs you, so by default the endorsement of a scheme such as this..or OAT's similar setup gives FTO's a chance to charge pretty much what they like.
Guys at the end of the day its your money.....In my 10 years of aviation (SE piston, ME piston, Turbo-prop, Jet) Ive seen both sides.IMHO..this is a poor return for your money.
Anyway best of luck.....enjoy the beer..and keep smiling
Just so you know...my contacts in Jerez...& OAT will tell you different in respect of these "airline" schemes. The amount of time and effort required is minimal for an airline....particularly when you balance it against the cost of training (some would say thats the whole point..with which I dont disagree) however, the schemes by their nature imply that you have a better than average chance of going from zero-to-hero..sadly in the real world it is simply not the case.
Im only pointing these things out too offer a counter view to all the marketing and hype. You are quite right to say airlines dont want to fill an FTO's bank balance...but at the same time they dont care what it costs you, so by default the endorsement of a scheme such as this..or OAT's similar setup gives FTO's a chance to charge pretty much what they like.
Guys at the end of the day its your money.....In my 10 years of aviation (SE piston, ME piston, Turbo-prop, Jet) Ive seen both sides.IMHO..this is a poor return for your money.
Anyway best of luck.....enjoy the beer..and keep smiling
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fly strong:
they'll have a hard time getting blood out of this stone if they do ask!!!
haughtney1:
thats fair enough, at the end of the day, the airlines are always gonna win as even if us lot decide not to go for it, there will ALWAYS be someone willing to go for it - I just wish it was the other way around: lots of banks trying to loan me money and lots of airlines trying to give me a job for fears of losing my interest!!! never mind, just a pipe dream I spose!
steve
they'll have a hard time getting blood out of this stone if they do ask!!!
haughtney1:
thats fair enough, at the end of the day, the airlines are always gonna win as even if us lot decide not to go for it, there will ALWAYS be someone willing to go for it - I just wish it was the other way around: lots of banks trying to loan me money and lots of airlines trying to give me a job for fears of losing my interest!!! never mind, just a pipe dream I spose!
steve
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Who paid for the advertisements? If it is the airlines, fair enough, if it was FTE then obviously FTE believe this scheme to be a marketing tool even if prospective candidates do not.
And there is a strong arguement that a good reputation generates business but if a business does not turn over enough money it will go bust once cash reserves and bank patience are exhausted, no matter what the reputation of a business.
Why are older candidates excluded from self sponsored schemes such as this? This is quite clearly a case of ageism.
I get the impression that their reputation is more important than getting your money in their pockets.
Why are older candidates excluded from self sponsored schemes such as this? This is quite clearly a case of ageism.
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Well done OJ!
I've been invited too, on the 8th at 9.00am, but i've got my individual project presentation with the dreaded Gang Zhou!
Hopefully they can fit me in on another day!
Good luck with it!
Taiguin
I've been invited too, on the 8th at 9.00am, but i've got my individual project presentation with the dreaded Gang Zhou!
Hopefully they can fit me in on another day!
Good luck with it!
Taiguin
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Pleased to hear you both have interviews as well. I've been really lucky with my dates because both of the interviews fall on the only days where I don't have exams!
good luck
OJ
good luck
OJ
Last edited by Oscar Juliet; 30th May 2005 at 23:11.
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James,
I haven't heard anything yet either, though I feel that my answers to Stage 2 of the BACX scheme were as good as, if not better than those for Stage 2 of the Thomsonfly Scheme, and yet I got into Stage 3 for Thomsonfly.
I guess we can only wait and see. Maybe the Thomsonfly invitations were sent out in one go, whereas the BACX ones are being sent out one by one as the answers are being read? I can only hope!
Best regards,
Niraj.
I haven't heard anything yet either, though I feel that my answers to Stage 2 of the BACX scheme were as good as, if not better than those for Stage 2 of the Thomsonfly Scheme, and yet I got into Stage 3 for Thomsonfly.
I guess we can only wait and see. Maybe the Thomsonfly invitations were sent out in one go, whereas the BACX ones are being sent out one by one as the answers are being read? I can only hope!
Best regards,
Niraj.
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Hang in there..
My invite to stage 3 with CitiExpress arrived well after people started posting that they had got through.... so I was initially having similar thoughts to yourselves.... hang in there as I'm sure it will take FTE time to get all of the e:mails out to the correct people.
Good luck anyway
GSB
Good luck anyway
GSB
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do you know anyone who got ATPL at Jerez
Do you know anyone who got ATPL at Jerez? I do, they finished over 4 years ago and are struggling to find any flying jobs, let alone airlines.
I know that soon there will be criticism about my reply, but find ATPL graduates from Jerez and only they will give you the right answers.
If airlines need pilots so badly why they don't invest in sponsorship rather than cheap selection process. That way, you get a real talent not only guy who can afford 100000......
I know that soon there will be criticism about my reply, but find ATPL graduates from Jerez and only they will give you the right answers.
If airlines need pilots so badly why they don't invest in sponsorship rather than cheap selection process. That way, you get a real talent not only guy who can afford 100000......